The whole band is back from the ELCA Lady Chargers’ championship softball team and that is a good thing. But head coach Doug Campbell said he is very aware of the challenges that lie ahead this season.

“I feel like we can compete for another championship but it’s still going to be a process of having our girls understand that it’s going to take even harder work to repeat than winning the first time,” Campbell said. “Just because you won it once and you have everybody back doesn’t mean you’re going to do it again just because you show up and play.”

While focus could be an issue for the Lady Chargers, familiarity won’t be since everyone is back to play her same position.

“They have been playing together a long time and it’s an advantage when you have them in the same positions,” Campbell said.

The team which won the 2013 Class A Private title is now compiled of mostly juniors and just three seniors — Alyssa Camp, Casey Durham and Hannah Hudgins — but Campbell said he realizes his job still won’t be a cake walk.

“It’s one of those deals you just have to understand, that it is harder than winning it the first time,” Campbell said. “That is what you have to convince them to believe. A lot of times they think we should win because everybody is back.

“But you have new teams that have come on the scene. You have teams that were young last year that are better. There is always somebody who is going to be able to fly under the radar and take you out if you are not on top of your game.”

However, ELCA (3-3) still has a realigned region schedule to play and that starts today with Paideia.

“Realignment made our region much weaker since Holy Innocents and Pace moved up to Class AA,” Campbell said. “The region has several young teams with new programs and it’s not what it was.”

Campbell said they will still have their eyes on Strong Rock, which they met in the region championship the last two years, and Landmark Christian.

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